Abdur Rahim

My social media feeds today are full of criticisms and concerns about Bangladesh’s government’s decision to allow critical human rights ordinances to lapse. These critiques come from many who strongly supported the BNP. What I have not seen are any effective arguments in favor of the government’s actions. This either means that there is no defense or that the government is unable to effectively communicate its position. Neither is a good look.

More voices calling for the ratification of critical human rights ordinances without amendment. It is disappointing to see efforts by the BNP majority in Parliament to dilute these important efforts to strengthen protection of human rights in Bangladesh. #neveragain

Great to listen to my friends @MichaelKugelman and Professor Shahab Enam Khan talking about the U.S.-Bangladesh relationship on the new PowerPlay Podcast presented by @newsalap. Check it out: youtu.be/1acEnoGRdxg?si…

When will Bangladesh break out of this toxic cycle where those once oppressed go on to repeat the same abuses? After everything BNP endured, why even consider weakening protections against enforced disappearances? Power seems to blur memory far too quickly. I strongly condemn any move by the current government to weaken or roll back safeguards against enforced disappearances and human rights abuses, and I fully agree with the Right to Freedom statement.

A statement from @rtoforg on Bangladesh’s National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025 and Enforced Disappearance Prevention and Remedy Ordinance 2025.

July 15, 2024!

@2shuvro Great job Shuvro bhai

Happy to meet Mr. Tatsuo Yasunaga, Chair of the Board of Directors of Mitsui & Co., on his first visit to Bangladesh. In an uncertain global moment, it’s encouraging to hear a major strategic investor speak with calm confidence about Bangladesh’s trajectory. Two points stood out. First: results. Mr. Yasunaga noted that Yamaha—where Mitsui has invested—sees its Bangladesh operation among Yamaha’s most profitable globally. A strong signal of what this market can deliver. Second: ambition beyond capital. Mitsui’s recent investment in ACI Shwapno, Bangladesh’s largest supermarket chain, is bringing people and long-term stewardship—working closely with management to help scale modern retail. Pleased that @BangladeshBida's facilitation around the convertible bond structure helped unlock the Shwapno investment and build leadership comfort. And with the Bangladesh–Japan EPA signed this year, Japanese investors now have both greater opportunity—and clearer protection—as they go deeper.

The State and Deep state can very well be complementary. The Government of Bangladesh, however, must make it a priority sooner rather than later. Link in the comments.

What is Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru is reading on China right now? Read the thread to know more.👇🏻 (1/5) BREAKNECK: CHINA'S QUEST TO ENGINEER THE FUTURE (2025) by @danwwang @shobhankita

Highly relevant! "The Price of War" by Jonathan Federle, Andre Meier, Gernot J. Müller, Willi Mutschler, and Moritz Schularick. "We assemble a new data set spanning 150 years and 60 countries to study the economic toll of war. A war of average intensity is associated with an output drop of close to 10 percent in the war-site economy, while consumer prices rise by approximately 20 percent. The capital stock, total factor productivity, and equity returns all decline sharply. The economic ramifications of war are not confined to the war site. The evidence points to adverse economic outcomes in other belligerent and third-party countries if they are exposed to the war site through trade linkages or share a common border." American Economic Review: aeaweb.org/articles?id=10… Working paper: drive.google.com/file/d/15q03Le…

I hope @SanjidaIsl65598 and Maayer Daak add their voices to those urging Bangladesh’s government to ratify the ordinances related to stopping enforced disappearance and strengthening an independent National Human Rights Commission. This should not be a partisan issue

Pakistan's emergence as a mediator for talks on West Asia war is due to a number of factors, sparks memories of its role in US-China opening amidst Bangladesh liberation war. My piece today @the_hindu Text&Context pages. thehindu.com/news/national/…

Totally agree with @sobel_mark. This editorial is wildly off the mark (baffling indeed). The IMF quota increase *without any change in quota shares* is an unequivocal win for America. Congress should support it. It is a no-brainer.

Many of Bangladesh's current political leaders, to include the Prime Minister, Cabinet Members, and Treasury and Opposition MPs were victims of human rights abuses by the 2009-24 Awami League Government. They should have a personal and political interest in ensuring that such abuses never are allowed to occur again. The efforts by the Interim Government to strengthen institutions to prevent future human rights violations were among its most important legacies. These include the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance and the Enforced Disappearance Protection and Remedy Ordinance. These Ordinances were the product of broad consultation within Bangladesh and with international partners. It is therefore of greatest concern that I receive reports that the Government intends to make fundamental changes to both ordinances, or even allow them to lapse. This would represent a huge step backwards and call into question the Government's commitment to promoting human rights. I can understand why those who would be subject to increased scrutiny and possible future liability for abuses would want to weaken institutions designed to protect human rights. But I struggle to understand why a Govenment that is only in power because of the sacrifices of those who fought against a brutal authoritarian regime would side with human rights violators rather than their victims.

V interesting paper about how citizens' level of 'financial satisfaction' moderated their discontent with democratic backsliding under Hasina. Highly relevant to debates about 'performance legitimacy' and how the Awami League regime lasted so long. doi.org/10.1080/135103…

Thanks to @centristnattv for giving me an opportunity to speak at length about my experiences in Bangladesh, both as a diplomat and as a private citizen. The biggest advantage of being a former diplomat is being able to say what I think.

Richard Moore’s story of growing up in Northern Ireland in the 1960s and being blinded by a rubber bullet fired by a British soldier is both heartbreaking and inspiring. In particular, his decisions to channel his energy into helping others and his willingness to forgive his assailant were remarkable. This video is well worth watching and reflecting upon.

"Netanyahu’s way is a recipe for perpetual war against a backdrop of rapidly declining international support for Israel, including in the US. That is a formula for disaster." ft.com/content/4e3516…

In a new major report, the World Bank conceded that its decades-long war on industrial policy was wrong, saying its old advice “has not aged well — it has the practical value of a floppy disk today.” But this is not an intellectual awakening. The World Bank's doctrine shifted because the means through which Western nations can maintain their dominance shifted — not because economists suddenly discovered new evidence. The world’s wealthiest nations are now pursuing industrial policy so openly that it can no longer be denied to the rest of the world. When the geopolitical winds shift, so does the ideology of institutions where wealthy nations' interests are deeply entrenched.

AFP | Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh expressed concern on Wednesday as the cash-strapped United Nations World Food Programme prepares to cut aid for large portions of the 1.2 million-strong group. Read here: frontiermyanmar.net/en/rohingya-re…